Edward Rettman Jr., 80, Hutchinson

Submitted by admin on Wed, 09/20/2017 - 12:00am

Edward Albert Rettman Jr. 80, of Hutchinson, died Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson.
The funeral service was held Friday, Sept. 15, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Hutchinson with the Rev. Kevin W. Oster officiating. Interment was in Oakland Cemetery in Hutchinson.
Edward Rettman Jr. was born May 17, 1937, in New Ulm, to Edward and Opal (Ondrachek) Rettman, and was baptized on June 13, 1937, by the Rev. C.H. Kowalske, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stewart. The family moved to a small farm on the south shore of Lake Stella in 1938. He attended country school in Ellsworth Township and graduated from Litchfield High School in 1955.
He enlisted in the Army National Guard in January 1955, where he received heavy equipment training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, in fall 1955. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army Reserves on Jan. 31, 1963, attaining the rank of Sergeant E5.
Following adult instruction, Mr. Rettman was received into membership at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Hutchinson on Oct. 20, 1985. On Nov. 30, 1985, he was married to Eldonna (Alsleben) Roepke at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church by the Rev. Darrel Thalmann.
Mr. Rettman operated his own excavating business for 50 years, recently cleaning drainage ditches for area counties. He loved playing with his “tinker toys.”
His hobbies included fishing, hunting, playing cards, traveling, old-time and country music, watching the Minnesota Lynx, the Minnesota Vikings and the Outdoor Channel. Some travel highlights were Branson, London, Canadian Rockies, Arizona and the Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Badlands, Devil’s Tower and Alaska. He was thrilled to be able to watch the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium and the Lynx play at Target Center last year.
He liked to kid around and joke with people or just stop by and give them grief. He was feisty and ornery with a marshmallow heart, ready to lend a helping hand. He always seemed to be in a hurry and yet running late.
He enjoyed operating heavy equipment, driving trucks and fast cars, visiting with friends at local watering holes and talking on the phone. He was very proud of his grandchildren and their accomplishments. He was a member of the American Legion Post 96 of Hutchinson.
He is survived by his wife, Eldonna Rettman of Hutchinson; two daughters, Kristine (Brian) Ebent of Waconia and Kimberly (Keith) Norbie of Chanhassen; four grandchildren, Adam and Alex Ebent and Jake and Reese Norbie; sister-in-law, Elaine (Don) Haus; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Donald Rettman; brother-in-law, Jerome Alsleben; and sister-in-law and her husband, LaVonne and Lyle Boller; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Arthur and Eileen Alsleben; and niece, Debra Boller.
The family is grateful for everyone for cards, visits and prayers; and to the Harmony River Living Center and hospice care team.